Round 3 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

After two rounds in the NPL Women’s NSW competition, four teams sit at the summit with a 100% record, while last year’s Premiers APIA are yet to register a point. Can the Inner-West derby kick-start their campaign in round three?

Two games on Saturday open up the round which is a rarity for the competition, while the rest are in action on Sunday.

NWS Spirit v Sydney University

The first match of the round kicks off on Saturday at 3pm as NWS Spirit host Sydney University.

Tony Candy’s team has recorded two draws in their first two games and are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

Disappointingly for Spirit, they led in both games but weren’t able to hold onto their advantage and close the game out.

Morgan Roberts has started the season in fine form, scoring a goal in each of their opening fixtures.

After a heavy loss in round one, Uni were better quality in their second game against the Champions Macarthur Rams.

Uni coach Oz Rowley made a few changes for last weekend’s game and the side looked dangerous at times through their front three of Talia Kapetanellis, Ava Pritchard and Anna Hunt.

Those three will be key here as well as locking up at the back to get their first points on the board for 2024.

Northern Tigers v Manly United

It’s derby time at North Turramurra as the Northern Tigers welcome neighbours Manly United.

The Tigers come into this one winless after their first two games, a draw and defeat in those matches.

A second slow start in as many weeks had the Tigers playing catching up, despite getting back into the game, they couldn’t hold on as they were soundly beaten in the end.

Ameera Makunja has found her feet in the NSW competition, scoring again last weekend.

After their fantastic opening day victory over APIA Leichhardt, Tom Hopley’s team could not back it up against the Illawarra Stingrays on Sunday.

They gave away two early goals and tried fighting back but were unable to find an equaliser.

Hopley isn’t afraid to change things if needed, making four substitutions at half time on Sunday, he may ring the changes again for this week.

APIA Leichhardt v Sydney Olympic – Match of The Round

In a massive double header at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon, APIA Leichhardt and Sydney Olympic kick off the action at 2pm.

It hasn’t been the ideal start to life at Lambert Park for Brad Attard after two consecutive losses to open the season.

Expectations would have been much higher for APIA after the first two games and they will need to work hard for points against a red hot Sydney Olympic.

Angelique Hristodoulou comes up against her former club where she spent many years, as well as Gisella Pipino who also wore the blue and white.

In comparison to round one, APIA was much better in their second outing but it wasn’t enough to record their first points in a 3-2 loss to Gladesville Ravens.

At the other end, it’s been a fantastic start to 2024 for Sydney Olympic and new coach Geoff Abrahams.

Two convincing wins from two games and eight goals scored, Olympic look very good.

With four goals in two games, new signing Demi Koulizakis has been in electric form and will be key for the visitors on Sunday afternoon.

APIA have won the last three clashes between the two, will the tide change here?

Football NSW Institute v Macarthur Rams

At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, Football NSW Institute take on the Macarthur Rams.

The Institute showed they won’t be pushovers once more with the new crop of young talent holding their own.

A draw and a loss in their first two matches, Lisa Warrener’s team will have a tough task ahead of them.

Stephen Peters’ team has started the season the way they finished the last, in confidence.

Two straight wins and a comfortable win over the weekend, with Lola Sossai and Erin Gordon looking like fantastic pick-ups for the Champions.

Emerging Jets v Blacktown Spartans

The Blacktown Spartans make the long trip north to face the Emerging Jets on Sunday afternoon.

A tough start to 2024 for the Jets, nine goals conceded and none scored after two games, it looks as though it is going to be a long season.

The Spartans have shown improvement on the last campaign.

A loss in round one and a hard-fought draw in round two against NWS Spirit has coach Milan Jovanovic slowly building his team.

Illawarra Stingrays v Gladesville Ravens

The Illawarra Stingrays welcome the Gladesville Ravens to the South Coast and Macedonia Park.

After a tight first up defeat, the Stingrays bounced back with an impressive away victory against Manly United.

Siobhan Edwards looks like she is in form, scoring three goals in the opening two games of the season.

The Ravens have started the season in style, a convincing round one victory, before an incredible comeback win against APIA Leichhardt.

Lexie Moreno and Bella Habuda have started the season in fine form, they will be key for the Ravens in the front third.

UNSW v Bulls FC Academy

At The Village Green on Sunday afternoon, University of NSW host Bulls FC Academy.

The newly promoted UNSW have started the campaign undefeated with a commanding win against the Emerging Jets last Sunday.

Allira Toby has got two goals in as many games and they will come into this one full of confidence.

Jaime Gomez’s team has had the perfect start to the season, winning two from their opening two clashes.

When you look at off season signings and impacts they’ve had early on, Amber Luchtmeijer jumps out immediately, scoring four goals in the opening two games.

The young star has hit the ground running with the Rams and will hope to continue her streak on Sunday.

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By Nikola Pozder.